As Pakistan continues to face challenges on their tour of England, batting coach Michael Smith has expressed his belief in the potential of the team's young players. Despite the squad's inability to surpass the 200-run mark in their first six innings, Smith remains optimistic that the batters will learn from their experiences and improve.
Smith highlighted that the current difficulties are less about the quality of the players and more about their ability to sustain longer innings. "It’s obviously a bit of a transition phase for the Pakistan team," he noted during a press conference. For many of the younger players, this series marks their first tour of England, where they are encountering tough lessons against a formidable opponent.
England's bowling attack has been particularly effective, and Smith acknowledged their skill and experience. He pointed out that while the team has shown promising signs at times, they have not maintained that performance for long enough. "We need some of our guys to be playing for hours at times and in certain game plans," he stated, emphasizing the need for batters to build innings rather than just having brief moments of resistance.
Among those under scrutiny are senior players like Babar Azam and Shan Masood, who have struggled to convert starts into significant scores. Smith remains confident in their abilities, asserting, "Quality is quality. Some players, a three-match series, yes it’s been challenging but players of that quality will come good." He believes that the current struggles should not overshadow the talent these players possess.
Despite the tough start, Smith conveyed a positive atmosphere within the squad. He remarked, "Boys are in a good space. It’s been tough, it’s been challenging. We’ve come up against a good bowling unit in home conditions who have been excellent." He stressed that the development of younger players should be evaluated over a longer period, particularly when they return to England in the future.
Having joined the team just three weeks ago, Smith refrained from making immediate judgments about necessary structural changes in Pakistan cricket. Instead, he expressed enthusiasm about the challenge ahead, stating, "I think I’ve got a bloody exciting challenge on my hand because there’s some serious players. Potential is exceptionally high. It’s just how quickly can we get them to that level, especially playing outside of Pakistan." He acknowledged that some dismissals have been disappointing but insisted that the squad has the quality to bounce back.
On the topic of off-field distractions, Smith emphasized the importance of keeping the players focused on their cricket. He noted, "Being professional sports, you’ve got to just adapt as quick as you can and try and get the players focused on jobs at hand." Maintaining a present-focused mindset is crucial for the team's progress.
Smith also took the time to commend England's Ollie Robinson, describing him as "one of the most consistent bowlers in world cricket." He praised Robinson's skill and ability to wear down batsmen, making him a challenging opponent. Smith highlighted the positive response from Pakistan's left-handers against Robinson, particularly noting Saud Shakeel's effective approach, which could serve as a valuable learning experience for the team moving forward.
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